Plenty of programs stress the importance of talking to teenagers about the dangers of drug misuse, but who is talking to seniors? According to a new survey of seniors*​, nearly one-fifth of those taking five or more prescription medications have experienced challenges in managing their medications, including keeping track of which medications they have taken and when.

This type of unintentional medication misuse can often lead to devastating consequences. To help families have this critical conversation with their senior loved ones, the local Home Instead Senior Care office, an in-home senior care provider in the Barrie area, has launched a new public education program called Let’s Talk about Rx, offering families free resources and tips, as well as insight into potential medication pitfalls facing seniors. The free solutions guide (available here) helps families better understand the potential risks associated with this growing problem and provides tools that can help older adults safely manage their medications.

Studies show that medication errors are among the most serious health risks facing seniors, and a key factor leading to long-term care placements, such as in a nursing home. However, for many, medication management is a difficult subject to broach as it is a very personal topic. Often times, seniors have been managing this aspect of their life on their own for many years and may not be fully aware of potential pitfalls.

“We’re encouraging the greater Barrie area to have these conversations with their families because we’ve seen that seniors’ ability to remain independent in their homes is greatly dependent on their ability to manage their medications,” said Dan Leonard, franchise owner of the Home Instead Senior Care office in Barrie. “If families see any signs that their senior loved one may be having difficulties – such as unintended weight loss or full medicine bottles – we encourage them to help their senior loved one, serving as a second set of eyes and ears, or ask for help.”

Family caregivers can accompany their senior to the doctor, use pill boxes and medication trackers, or ask their local pharmacy about conducting a medication review. Having the right medication management plan can help seniors stay independent in their homes and avoid adverse drug reactions.

“For seniors, good medication management begins with building a relationship of trust with their doctor or nurse practitioner. Family caregivers can help cultivate and manage that relationship,” said Dr. John Sloan, Geriatrics Home Care Physician and Senior Academic Physician in the Department of Family Practice at the University of British Columbia. “Medication management can be less problematic when the patient and the person prescribing understand one another.”

To obtain the solutions guide, or to view other program resources and tips, visit
www.LetsTalkAboutRx.ca. Or, contact your local Home Instead Senior Care office today to learn how family caregivers can help seniors avoid medication mishaps, including by having a Home Instead CAREGiver provide medication reminders. Find an office near you by visiting
https://www.homeinstead.ca.

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*Home Instead, Inc. completed telephone interviews with a random sample of 500 seniors in the United States and Canada to identify their perceptions and habits regarding medication safety. Only seniors who take one or more prescription medications were included in the survey.

ABOUT HOME INSTEAD SENIOR CARE

Founded in 1994 in Omaha, Nebraska, by Lori and Paul Hogan, the Home Instead Senior Care network provides personalized care, support and education to help enhance the lives of aging adults and their families. Today this network is the world's leading provider of in-home care services for seniors, with more than 1,000 independently owned and operated franchises that are estimated to annually provide more than 50 million hours of care throughout the United States and 14 other countries. Local Home Instead Senior Care offices employ approximately 65,000 CAREGivers worldwide who provide basic support services that enable seniors to live safely and comfortably in their own homes for as long as possible. The Home Instead Senior Care network strives to partner with each client and his or her family members to help meet that individual’s needs. Services span the care continuum from providing companionship and personal care to specialized Alzheimer’s care and hospice support. Also available are family caregiver education and support resources. At Home Instead Senior Care, it’s relationship before task, while striving to provide superior quality service.

​Five Tips for Senior Medication Safety

The Home Instead Senior Care network offers five tips for family caregivers to better help their senior avoid adverse drug reactions and stay independent in his or her home:

Have a family or professional caregiver accompany the senior to the doctor to ask questions and ensure full understanding of the medication regimen

Make one doctor the gatekeeper to manage medications and discuss any problems taking a medication, such as the inability to swallow a pill

Use medication organizers, such as a pill box

Use medication trackers​

Consider speaking to your local pharmacist about conducting a medication review